Personally, I think [Romney's] a kind, decent man who says stupid things
because he is pretending to be something he is not — some sort of
cartoonish government-hater. But it scarcely matters. He’s running a
depressingly inept presidential campaign. Mr. Romney, your entitlement
reform ideas are essential, but when will the incompetence stop?

I think it’s hard for even a kind decent person who has been insulated in closed societies most of his life to break out. He was born into a closed family who worshipped in a closed church then went to a closed university then to an elite university then to a company that must deal in secrecy to succeed.

Other successful wealthy politicians were forced to deal with people outside their norm in their churches, schools, and political life. Romney’s campaigns are the first time he’s had to deal with the hoi poloi and he’s finding it…difficult.

Those other wealthy Presidents were fortunate in their family members who helped them understand the poor; Eleanor Roosevelt’s tours throughout the countryside allowed her to let FDR know just how bad things were, and Bobby Kennedy’s tour of Appalachia and contact with MLK informed JFK of just how bad things still were.

I see no family member or friend to act as a conduit to Romney; and his awkwardness with “the little people” shows in almost every interaction with them.

ProWife

Jesus told at least three of his closest disciples how he felt about rich people. He did not like them. He did not welcome them in heaven.

see Matthew 19:24 “and again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
see Luke 18:25 “Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
see Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
see Luke 18:22 .”When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”
see Matthew 19:21 “Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”
see Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

Maybe Mitt should give his car elevators to the poor, get down on his knees and repent.
Maybe all Christians will finally see the light. Especially those in the 47%!

The_Ohioan

Jesus was explaining how to reach the best afterlife, not running for a political position. Not that he didn’t upset the local politicians, but that wasn’t his main goal. And I’m pretty sure he loved the rich as well as the poor; which was why he took the trouble to counsel them.

rudi

@Ohio
Mittens parents did work with the less fortunate. Mittens was just a spoiled child…
George Romney worked as an auto executive without a degree, let alone an MBA. GR did act with the civil rights movement, even attacking the racist elements in the Goldwater fringe.

Counsel or Warn Ohioan? The word as it is written indicates that Jesus was warning the rich that being rich would keep them from entering the kingdom of God. I’m just reciting what the good book says. Amen.

ProWife

Considering Jesus told Luke that rich people should sell everything they have and give to the poor to have treasure in heaven before they were welcome to follow him, it is apparent that he only liked rich people that sold all their stuff and gave the proceeds to the poor.

The_Ohioan

rudi

I was going on the information that Romney was 6 when they moved to the wealthy Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills and the public schools there were a far cry from the Detroit schools. From the 7th grade he was in a private school, then Brigham Young (98% LDS), then Harvard. What I was implying is that he had very little contact with any cultures other than wealthy white folks.

I know George R was very interested in civil rights when he was running for President. Bloomfield Hills probably had property restrictions in the 1950′s and that, to a member of a minority religion, would be anathema along with all the turmoil following “Brown vs B of E”. I don’t know what type of social work Mrs. Romney did. May have been in downtown Detroit, may have been heading local association dedicated to good works. Mitt was only 17 in 1964 after all.

The_Ohioan

PW

I think you are restricting a religious figure to a literal interpretation of biblical verses written many years after his death. The whole point of Jesus ministry, as I understand it, was to facilitate a closer relationship between man and God, not to put up barriers between them. But this is not really the place for a theological discussion interesting though it might be.

http://www.americaincontext.com Barky

Great point in your original comment, Ohioan. Political death by echo chamber …

bluebelle

Mitt has only himself to blame. He certainly could have toured Appalachia like Bobby Kennedy did in 1968. Then maybe he wouldn’t have had to have a mine owner force his coal miners to show up at Romney’s rally and serve as his political props.